Nicola Baker commissions gold on leather cover.

The type (Latin Bold 24 point) has been locked into the pallet chase.
I have used steel and brass furniture near the type to help with the heat transfer.

Nicola Baker commissions gold on leather cover.

The pallet is about to be keyed into the platen of the McKay (circa 1890) goldblocking press.
I waited about 15 minutes for the type to heat up evenly before I started my test prints.

Nicola Baker commissions gold on leather cover.

Sample prints testing the pressure and the heat needed for the gold foil to melt onto the leather.

Nicola Baker commissions gold on leather cover.

Nicola made a great job of making a card template then cutting out the leather to fit the journal.
The next stage for this project is the cobbler to sew the flaps and edges and for Nicola to plait and tie the closure.